Families
& Children

Photo by Marty McNaughton

Lochwinnoch is a great place for kids & families.

Our state of the art playpark opened in December 2023 at the Lochlip Road park, which already contains two MUGA courts, a BMX track and loads of picnic tables for sunny-day hangouts. At RSPB Lochwinnoch, which is just a short walk from the village centre, there’s a charming wild play area created by local tree surgeons, a fairy village and regular themed treasure hunts throughout the woods.

Photo: Kids looking at the village as seen from the RSPB

Adventurous families can spot the bird statues hidden in the trees throughout the trails at Parkhill Woods (accessible from Johnshill at the top of the village or via the cyclepath at Castle Semple Loch) or visit the Forest Folk at Muirshiel Country Park, and sailing and water sports classes run at Castle Semple Loch throughout the school holidays.

On rainy days Lochwinnoch Community Library is always a cosy haven with books, crafts and colouring in, and the youngest members of the community are well-provided for with toys and regular live events at the McKillop Hall organised through Lochwinnoch Toddlers, who meet on Mondays and Wednesdays during term time.

Photo: Going for a walk at Parkhill Woods (credit Evie Jackson)

The annual Gala Day in June and Feel Good Festival Family Fun Day in September are both hugely popular community celebrations with children and young people at their heart, and there are a number of activities and clubs running year round - see our Events Calendar for more details.

Photo: Watching bands at the Feel Good Festival Family Fun Day (credit Open Aye)

Don’t just take our word for it though! We asked three local experts to guide us around the best of the village for children and young people.

I like going on the treasure hunts and climbing in the play area at the RSPB: sometimes you have to find things like dragons or bats carved out of wood hidden in the trees.

For a treat, we get babyccinos and empire biscuits at The Junction (babyccinos are the best because you get marshmallows with them). There are loads of good trees to climb in the woods.

On Friday afternoons we go to The Wee Shop where they’ve got sweeties in massive jars, then we go to the play park, which is super fun and basically one of the best places you can go. I also like going to the library because they’ve got brilliant comics.

Fergus, age 7

‘I like going to the Lochbarr cafe [Route 760] with my friends. I like that people can take their pets and the staff and owners are really nice and it’s not too expensive.

There’s also tons of water sports to do at the Loch, such as windsurfing and sailing. My favourite shops/ cafes are The Junction, which sells THE BEST CAKES, The Wee Shop which has a great selection of sweets and The Green Herbalist, which has eco-friendly toiletries and ingredients for cooking and healing.

Hand Crafted Coffee is also another nice shop, with a great selection of tea and coffee, but also has beautiful crockery and chocolate. The owners and staff at all these places are really friendly and nice too.

The other great thing about the village is the train station is a 5/10 minute walk from the park, so you can go on trips outside of the village easily too.

Mirin, age 14